Ryan Spellecy

Ryan Spellecy, PhD is Assistant Provost, Director, and Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity, Division of Bioethics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He holds joint appointments in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health and is an active member of multiple institutional centers including the Cancer Center, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Institute for Health & Humanity, and Neuroscience Research Center. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Spellecy has established himself as a leading expert in research ethics and institutional review board administration.

Dr. Spellecy's research focuses on bioethics, particularly research ethics, informed consent processes, IRB administration, and ethical issues involving vulnerable populations. His work bridges philosophical bioethics with practical applications in clinical research settings. He has made significant contributions to understanding how to improve informed consent documentation, particularly for complex medical procedures like hematopoietic cell transplantation, and has explored ethical challenges in emergency research, social media recruitment, and community-engaged research.

His publication record shows consistent scholarly output with 58 publications as of 2025, including influential works like 'Reviving Ulysses Contracts' (2003) and recent articles addressing contemporary challenges in research ethics. His work spans theoretical bioethics, practical guidance for researchers, and policy recommendations for research oversight.

• Best Student Paper, American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (2001)
• Graduate Student Book Award, University of Utah Philosophy Department (2002)
• Visiting Professor, Mayo Clinic Department of Pediatrics (2012)
• Presidential Citation, American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (2012)

Dr. Spellecy actively mentors students, having supervised at least 27 Master's level students, and teaches multiple bioethics courses across the Medical College of Wisconsin curriculum. As Chair of IRB #2 since 2004, he has direct responsibility for ethical oversight of human subjects research. His leadership extends to national discussions on research ethics policy, particularly regarding IRB harmonization and efficiency. Dr. Spellecy's work demonstrates a commitment to making research ethics practical, accessible, and responsive to the evolving landscape of clinical and translational research.